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The Coolest Met Gala Looks of All Time

From Princess Diana to Rihanna, we look back at some of the Met Gala's biggest fashion moments

By
Zoe Walker

Thursday April 28, 2016

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Grace Coddington's custom-made silk pyjama set by Michael Kors for proved that the red carpet doesn't have to be all glamorous gowns. Comfortable, and it subtly referenced the 2015 Chinese fashion theme. Picture / Getty. See our other favourite looks from the 2015 Met Gala.

The theme was Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design, and Cher nailed it in this Bob Mackie sequin and feather dress in 1974. Years later the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce would reference this with their update of the "naked dress". Picture / Getty

In 2010 the exhibition explored American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity, with Chloe Sevigny attending in a cocktail dress by the New York-based designers behind Proenza Schouler – who had been named as the future of American fashion. Picture / Getty

Princess Diana was a surprise guest at the 1996 gala, wearing a pearl choker and slip dress from John Galliano’s first collection for Christian Dior – fitting, given the exhibition was a retrospective of the brand. Picture / Getty

In 2009 the Costume Institute examined how models embody fashion, with ultimate model muse Kate Moss proving the point in this Marc Jacobs mini dress and turban. Picture / Getty

The theme was fashion and furniture in the 18th Century, but Scarlett Johannsson confirmed fashion's obsession with early-aughts 'New Hollywood' in this bombshell dress from Calvin Klein in 2004. Picture / Getty

For the 2011 Alexander McQueen exhibition, the designer's long-time friend Daphne Guinness naturally wore one of his creations. In a sort of performance art piece, she also got ready in the windows of Barneys. Picture / Getty

The gown that sparked a thousand memes. For the 2015 China: Through the Looking Glass gala, Rihanna was one of the only celebrities who wore something by a Chinese designer with this from Guo Pei. Picture / Getty

Many took 2013's punk theme literally with mesh, studs and mohawks. Director Sofia Coppola was more subversive, sticking two fingers up at the traditional red carpet dress code in Louis Vuitton pyjamas. Picture / Getty